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*The Vamps Fan Fiction*"The late February weather tickled my skin as I closed the door to the taxi and gathered my bright orange suitcases. I walked up the steep stairs that lead up to the rusted grayish brown door. A whole bunch of different emotions flowed my mind as I was about to see my family again. The door swished open and Connor enveloped me in an abnormally large hug." Natalie finally sees her cousin Connor Ball again after a few years. While in Scotland, she and her new friends encounter hardship, heartbreak, and many adventures.

45. Connor's POV

~~ Chapter 45- Connor (Listen to ‘Keep Holding On’ By: Avril Lavigne)

It was a few days after Maria had passed. My mom and dad were trying their best to get to Scotland. Natalie hadn’t spoken a word since her death. We walked hand in hand passed the pews and various people staring at us as we walked down the aisle trying to find a seat. Pictures of Maria were put into a slideshow which was playing on a huge white screen for everyone to see. As we sat down, Natalie crossed her legs and leaned on my shoulder. I put my arm around her and pulled her in closer. Tristan, Brad, James, Sara, Indie and Andy found their seats either right behind or next to us. Tristan rubbed my shoulder and patted it lightly. Andy gave Natalie a nice bouquet of lilies, sunflowers and other beautifully colored flowers.

“It’s from all of us.” She said as they shared a quick hug.

“Thank you!” I said for Nat. I really didn’t know what was wrong with her. Was her throat still burning? She was out of the hospital. “Natalie, you need to speak. What’s wrong?” She ignored me. “Natalie!” She glared at me. “Speak!” She shook her head and crossed her arms. “Why aren’t you speaking?”

“Connor, be patient.” James said from behind. “She’s not a dog.” I turned around and started to play with my thumbs. I noticed in the pews there were little laminated cards with Maria's picture on it. It read, ‘Maria Iris Ball December 27th 1994- June 26th 2014.’ It had a small poem written on the back of it. I looked over to see Natalie’s eyes squeezed shut and a small tear was forming at the crease.

“Nat…” I rubbed her back softly. She soon started to sob into my shoulder, causing my shirt to get wet. I didn’t mind it, I knew she needed it. The priest said some prayers and blessings and asked if anyone wanted to say some words. A few old women who I have never seen in my life said some sweet things and talked to Nat for a while. Everyone’s eyes were immediately drawn to the back of the room as Mom and Dad came storming in. They scurried in quickly and apologized for being late. “It’s ok! I’m glad you made it!” I said.

“Natalie! How you doing sweetie?” Mom asked. She looked up at her and put her arms out, indicating that she wanted a hug.

“She’s not talking.” I said looking down.

“Why not!?” Dad whispered making sure not to disrupt anyone more than they already did. I shrugged my shoulders.

“Hey everyone! I’m Kelly, Connor and Natalie’s Mom. This is Simon, their dad.” They all smiled, waved or shook hands and we went back to listening to people speak. “Do you know all these people?” Mom asked.

“Nope!” I answered.

“Thank you Oakley! Amen. Anyone else?” The priest said. Tristan stood up and grabbed the microphone.

“I had only known Maria for a short time. As soon as I met her, it felt like I had known her forever. She was always up for adventure and I don’t think I ever saw her not smiling. I will miss Maria dearly and I pray for her family and friends. Thank you.” He stood there for a short moment then went back to his seat. His speech was very short, but It summarized everything perfectly.

“Nice job bro!” I said patting him on the back then watching Andy get up.

“I never met Maria in person, but from the stories Connor and Natalie tell, I feel like I did. She is the perfect example of a person whose family is so proud of them, that they talk about them so much you feel like you know them. We will all miss her very much. God bless.” Her speech was also very short, I mean she didn’t even know Maria and she still went up there. James got up and said a few words.

“Maria was very much loved, and still is. Although we will miss her, she remains a peice of all our hearts. Even though she may not physically be here, she is always looking down upon us. I remember first finding out that Natalie had a twin identical sister and being so confused. I knew that she had a sister, but I didn’t know that they were identical. She was so easy to talk to and always knew what to say. She was athletic, talented and beautiful. I will miss her.” Natalie handed me a small slip of paper that read ‘Read it please’ with her speech scribbled onto it.

“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming here today to help us mourn the loss of my dear sister Maria. I will be reading the words of my other sister Natalie, she is not able to talk at this moment and I pray for her to get better.” I looked down at the paper. trying to decipher her horrid sloppy handwriting. I cleared my throat. “I do not remember a time where I didn’t miss Maria. She would often go away camping with her girlscout troop or sleeping over a friends house. I hadn’t seen her in years. She joined the Navy as I was studying in America. It was hard to communicate with her and I when we got to talk on the phone, it wasn’t for long. I’m grateful for the support of my lovely family and friends. I wouldn’t be able to do this without them. I remember this particular conversation in the hospital alone with her before she had passed. ‘What’s going to happen?’ I asked her. ‘Look at me, I’m dying.’ She responded. ‘What am I going to be without you? You’re my second half.’ I cried. ‘Natalie.’ She started. ‘I’m always going to be your sister. When you miss me, I want you to throw a coin into a fountain. Say something to me, whether it is a wish or just something you want me to know. I’ll respond. Trust me.’ May I please ask for everyone to take out a coin. Come over here to the fountain and say something to her.” Everyone got up and rummaged through their purses and wallets fishing out any loose change they had. “On the count of three we all through them in ok? Everyone ready? One… Two… Three!” Coins were flying in the air as people reopened there eyes and found there way back to their seat. “Thank you all so much for participating. I greatly appreciate it! May Maria rest in peace and let us meet again someday.” Natalie smiled at me as I sat down. I wasn’t going to say anything. Everything I was going to say everyone else covered. Also, I never saw the point of giving speeches at funerals. These are my personal feelings. No one else needs to hear them.

After a few long hours of grieving, we decided that we should head back home.

“We have a surprize for you Nat!” I stated indicating for the boys to get ready. I lead her to the ‘Man Cave’ and placed my guitar over my head. “Ready Tris?” He clicked his sticks in the air three times before lightly banging on his drums. After 10 seconds of the drums, James started strumming his guitar. I soon joined and Bradley started to sing,

“You're not alone. Together we stand. I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand. When it gets cold, and it feels like the end. There's no place to go you know I won't give in. No I won't give in. Keep holding on. 'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through Just stay strong. 'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you. There's nothing you could say, nothing you could do. There's no other way when it comes to the truth. So keep holding on. 'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through. So far away. I wish you were here. Before it's too late, this could all disappear. Before the doors close, and it comes to an end, with you by my side I will fight and defend. I'll fight and defend. Yeah, yeah. Keep holding on. 'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through. Just stay strong. 'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you. There's nothing you could say,nothing you could do. There's no other way when it comes to the truth. So keep holding on.'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through. Hear me when I say, when I say I believe. Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny. Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Keep holding on. 'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through. Just stay strong. 'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you. There's nothing you could say, nothing you could do. There's no other way when it comes to the truth. So keep holding on.'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through. Keep holding on. Keep holding on..There's nothing you could say, nothing you could do. There's no other way when it comes to the truth. So keep holding on. 'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through.” Natalie enveloped me in a large huge as soon as it ended. She ran over to James and smacked her lips right onto his. It was quite disturbing. To see your sister making out with one of your best friends. Gross.

A/N: This song is so perfect. If you didn't listen to it while reading, you need to listen to it!! Please comment! I really appreciate it! Leave suggestions, questions, comments, concerns, anything!!